‘You’ve got nothing to apologize for.’ Jensen put his arms around me and rocked me from side to side, resting his chin on my head. I’d never been so glad of human contact in my life and leaned into him, soaking up the feeling of comfort.

‘I’d like to go home now please, Doctor,’ I said firmly, peeling myself away from Jensen. ‘Apart from being pregnant and having a very sore head, I’m fine and I feel awful for leaving the clearing up to everyone else at the vineyard.’

‘Fine. But no clearing up for you.’ Toby looked at Jensen. ‘Make sure she does nothing but rest and drink plenty of fluids.’

‘You hear that, Lottie? Doctor’s orders,’ said Jensen sternly.

‘I’ve drunk more fluids in the last month than in my entire life,’ I told the doctor. ‘Unfortunately, a lot of it was sparkling wine. The poor baby is probably pickled.’

I pointed to the logo on my polo shirt.

‘Ah. You’ll need to cut down your alcohol intake immediately,’ said the doctor, ‘and please get yourself booked in for a scan as soon as possible.’

It took a further ten minutes for the paperwork to be completed and for me to be officially discharged. The nurse we’d seen when we came in advised us to go up to the main entrance where we’d find a taxi. I didn’t have any money with me and promised to pay Jensen back, but he waved my protests away. He offered me his hand as we stood up to leave the safety of my cubicle and I took it gratefully.

I wasn’t just weak from my fall; I was in shock from finding out I was going to be a mother. Or perhaps I was already a mother, simply by being pregnant? I’d never thought about it before. And I don’t know if it was psychosomatic, but I felt oddly aware of my tummy suddenly, with an urge to shield it from the other patients as we walked along the corridor.

‘You’ve been so kind.’ I squeezed Jensen’s hand lightly.

‘Not at all.’ He pressed a feather-light kiss to my cheek. ‘I’m sorry this hasn’t been a happier occasion for you.’